D1.137 - Characterization of Pana g 1, a novel allergen from Korean ginseng, Panax ginseng triggering Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome

Ginseng is commonly used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine and is widely consumed as a health supplement. However, ginseng, especially raw ginseng, can cause allergic reactions, including pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS). This study was aimed to characterize the PFAS-causative allergen in Korean ginseng and develop methods for its quantification.

Candidate allergens were analyzed using genomic and transcriptomic approaches. A proteomic analysis utilizing patient sera was conducted to identify the allergen responsible for PFAS. A recombinant protein was produced, and its allergenicity was compared with the primary sensitizer, Que ac 1, using ELISA. A two-site ELISA was developed to quantify the ginseng PFAS allergen using monoclonal antibodies raised against recombinant allergen. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry was also performed for quantification.

Genome and transcriptome analysis identified four candidate allergens: pathogenesis-related 10 (PR-10) protein, profilin, non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP), and thaumatin-like protein. PR-10, named Pana g 1, was the only allergen identified by proteomic analysis. Recombinant Pana g 1 was recognized by four out of five sera tested. Inhibition ELISA showed stronger IgE reactivity to Que ac 1 than to Pana g 1 and found strong IgE cross-reactivity between the two. Pana g 1 was quantified as 4.26 μg/mg of protein by ELISA and 4.54 μg/mg by MRM in the ginseng extract.

Recombinant Pana g 1 could be useful for diagnosing PFAS caused by ginseng. The quantification systems developed in this study could also aid in standardizing ginseng extracts and allergen surveillance.